Top 4 highest scores by designated wicket-keepers in ODIs ft. Quinton de Kock

South Africa's wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock is continuing his blistering form in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The southpaw has scored three centuries in five matches so far and looks set to produce many more from his bat. He opened his World Cup campaign with a century against Sri Lanka and smashed one more against Australia in the next match. 

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His latest ton came against Bangladesh on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where South Africa won by a massive 149 runs. Until he reached his triple-figure score, de Kock played like proper ODI cricket, but then he shifted the innings into top gear, smashing the bowlers all around the park. The 30-year-old finished with a score of 174 in 140 balls - the fourth-highest score by a designated wicketkeeper in the 50-over format. 

On that note, let's look at the other top four highest scores for designated wicketkeepers in ODIs

173* - Jaskaran Malhotra (USA) vs Papua New Guinea, 2021 

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Indian-born American cricketer Jaskaram Malhotra is at number five on the list. Papua New Guinea captain Assad Vala won the toss and elected to field first in the second ODI at Al Amerat. On the back of Malhotra's blazing century, USA posted a competitive total of 271/9 in 50 overs. While the rest of the players failed to cross 20 runs, this right-handed batter from Chandigarh scored 173 runs off just 124 balls. PNG's response ended with 137 runs as USA claimed a massive 134 runs. 

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176 - Litton Das (BAN) vs Zimbabwe, 2020

Bangladesh sealed a 123-run win over Zimbabwe in the third ODI in Sylhet. After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh posted a humongous total of 322/3 in a 43-over game. Both Tamim Iqbal (128 off 109) and Litton Das (176 off 143) scored centuries as they put together a 292-run opening partnership. In reply, the Zimbabwean middle-order batters fought hard but the target was too far away from their reach. The Tigers bowled out their opponents for 218 and secured a 123-run victory. 

178 - Quinton de Kock (SA) vs AUS, 2016

Quinton de Kock is the only wicketkeeper batter to feature twice in this list. South Africa won the 1st ODI against Australia by 6 wickets at Centurion, de Kock's magnificent century helping them chase down the target of 295. Half-centuries from George Bailey and John Hastings propelled Australia to post a respectable total. However, a 145-run opening partnership between de Kock and Rilee Rossouw laid the foundation for the Proteas. Australia picked up a few wickets at regular intervals, but de Kock ensured his team was safe before being dismissed for 178 (113). 

183* - MS Dhoni (IND) vs SL, 2005

Former India captain MS Dhoni set his highest ODI score as well as the highest score by a designated wicketkeeper in the third ODI against Sri Lanka. Elected to bat first at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Sri Lanka posted 298/4 on the back of Kumar Sangakkara's 138 and Mahela Jayawardene's 71. Chasing a competitive total, India lost an early wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. However, Dhoni, who batted at No. 3, put up a good partnership with Virender Sehwag to pull the team out of trouble. Sehwag departed after 39 and India lost a couple of more wickets in the process. However, the Ranchi-born cricketer remained unbeaten on 183 to lead India to a comfortable six-wicket win.